Varsity and group team up to train career-ready graduates

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to align academia and industry. The signing ceremony took place in May and was attended by UMT vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar and PKT Logistics Group CEO and managing director Datuk Seri Dr Michael Tio.

The partnership includes commitments to various joint initiatives, such as student and staff training, research collaborations, academic partnerships, knowledge sharing, and industry insights exchange.

The collaboration is estimated to be worth more than RM700,000 and involves 100 students under the 2023 Penjana “Smart Logistician” Programme. The Higher Education Ministry has provided RM460,000 in funding for the programme.

The “Smart Logistician” programme, which lasted for 15 days this month, focused on areas such as logistics, transportation, warehouse operations, safety regulations, and freight transport. Additionally, a unique module called “Fundamental of IoT in Production” was introduced with RM90,000 in funding from PKT Logistics Group.

The programme took place at The Ship Campus in Penang, where participants received full sponsorship for lodging and meals at the Peninsula Student Resident and had access to The Ship Campus facilities, including accommodation, lecture halls, and libraries.

UMT collaborated with the Industry Centre of Excellence (Maritime Cluster) and Entrepreneurship and Career Centre to ensure the success of the programme. The main objective was to enhance participants’ skills through hands-on learning and work-based experience, with the aim of achieving an 80% or higher job placement rate.

UMT focused on conducting research to improve management efficiency and operational practices within Malaysia’s logistics firms.

Upon completion of the programme, students who engage in a comprehensive work-based learning experience with PKT Logistics Group will receive a monthly salary of at least RM2,300 for six months.

PKT Logistics Group introduced the PKT Excellence Award, which offers RM5,000 annually and employment opportunities within the company to three outstanding UMT students. The award scheme also includes academic programmes within UMT’s Maritime Studies Faculty.